Brewsters Beer Garden

Petaluma's family coffee shop with an indoor play space: espresso and real food for adults, and a dedicated kid play zone steps from the tables.

Old-fashioned soda fountain with classic sundaes, fizzy drinks and counter seats in a retro parlor.

A kids' menu of chicken tenders or pasta, and long communal tables.

Petaluma's creekside comfort-food standby: burgers, big breakfasts and a relaxed family room on the boulevard.

Petaluma's punk-rock diner: pancakes the size of pizzas, chicken 'n' waffles, and fried-bologna sandwiches, with a kids' menu and portions that defeat teenagers.

A French bistro with petite versions of bistro classics on the kids menu and a 'childhood vanilla flan', a nicer dinner out that still takes toddlers seriously.